LAURA. [Trying to affect an attitude of resigned patience and resignation.] Well, what is it? [Resuming seat on sofa.

WILL.  You’ve always been on the square with me, Laura.  That’s why I’ve liked you a lot better than the other women.

LAURA.  Are you going into all that again now, this morning?  I thought we understood each other.

WILL.  So did I, but somehow I think that maybe we don’t quite understand each other.

LAURA.  In what way? [Turns to WILL.

WILL. [Looking her straight in the eye.] That letter I dictated to you the day that you came back to me, and left it for you to mail—­did you mail it?

LAURA.  Yes.

WILL.  You’re quite sure?

LAURA.  Yes, I’m quite sure.  I wouldn’t say so if I wasn’t.

WILL.  And you didn’t know Madison was coming East until you read about it in that newspaper?

LAURA.  No—­no, I didn’t know.

WILL.  Have you heard from him?

LAURA.  No—­no—­I haven’t heard from him.  Don’t talk to me about this thing.  Why can’t you leave me alone?  I’m miserable enough as it is. [Crossing to extreme right.

WILL. [Crossing to table.] But I’ve got to talk to you.  Laura, you’re lying to me.

LAURA.  What! [She makes a valiant effort to become angry.

WILL.  You’re lying to me, and you’ve been lying to me, and I’ve trusted you.  Show me that telegram!

LAURA.  No.

WILL. [Going over towards her.] Show me that telegram!

[LAURA crosses up to doors leading into bedroom.

LAURA. [Tears telegram in half.] You’ve no right to ask me.

WILL.  Are you going to make me take it away [LAURA crosses to window.] from you?  I’ve [Crosses to sofa.] never laid my hands on you yet.

LAURA.  It’s my business.

[Crossing to left of sofa, around it on down-stage side.

WILL.  Yes, and it’s mine.

During scene.  Backing away from WILL, who is following her, LAURA backs against bureau.  WILL grabs her and attempts to take telegram from her.  She has put it in the front of her waist.  She slowly draws it out.

WILL.  That telegram’s from Madison.  Give it here!

LAURA.  No.

WILL.  I’m going to find out where I stand.  Give me that telegram, or
I’ll take it away from you.

LAURA.  No.

WILL.  Come on!

LAURA.  I’ll give it to you.

[Takes telegram out of waist, and hands it to him.

He takes it slowly, looking her squarely in the eye.  WILL crosses to centre, and does not glance away while he slowly smoothes it out so that it can be read; when he finally takes it in both hands to read it she staggers back a step or two weakly.

WILL. [Reads the telegram aloud.] “I will be in New York before noon.  I’m coming to marry you, and I’m coming with a bank-roll.  I wanted to keep it a secret and have a big surprise for you, but I can’t hold it any longer, because I feel just like a kid with a new top.  Don’t go out, and be ready for the big matrimonial thing.  All my love.  John.”  Then you knew?